Kodak’s recent line of digital imaging products might not make for the most inspiring of spec-sheets, but they’ve got the sort of bargain price-tags mainstream users are looking for. We caught up with the Kodak PLAYTOUCH Full HD camcorder, the Kodak EasyShare M590 camera and 10-inch PULSE wireless digital photo frame to see what your money gets you.
Kodak are pretty proud of the EasyShare M590, what with it being the thinnest point-and-shoot with an all-internal 5x optical zoom, though at 0.6-inches it’s certainly not the slickest digital camera around. Still, the zoom gets you nice and close, and there’s a 14.5-megapixel sensor inside too. Style-wise it’s a little on the bland side, but the straightforward button layout does at least mean there’s little in the way of user confusion. It’s priced at $199.95.
As for the PLAYTOUCH, it’s more expensive – at $229.95 – which could hurt in a market where cheaper point-and-shoot camcorders are already under attack from 720p-capable cameraphones. Still, the capacitive touchscreen is responsive and bright, and the build quality is good; Kodak’s simple UI should make for a relatively straightforward experience with non-techy users, as well.
Finally, the Kodak 10-inch PULSE, a WiFi-enabled digital photo frame. The company was showing the new model next to the original 7-inch version, and while the difference might not sound much on paper, in practice you get far more viewing pleasure. At $199.95 it’s reasonably competitively priced, and Kodak’s wireless sharing feature is easy to use.
Qualcomm are holding their annual IQ event in London today, and while the company has confirmed that their 1.5GHz Snapdragon chipset for smartphones and tablets is due in Q1 2011 (Update: the 1.5GHz actually won’t be until near the end of 2011; the 1.2GHz will arrive in Q1 2011) more interesting perhaps is their AR photo frame demo. Currently running as an Android app, the system allows users to take a photo on their smartphone, point the handset’s camera at a digital photo frame, and then instantly squirt the image over to it.
Update: Technical details added after the cut
Video demo after the cut
After you tap the usual “Share” option in Android, then choose Photo Frame, the camera view shows you what you’re looking at in your living room. The system users AR technology to recognise each frame, highlighting it with a purple border; tap it, and the photo is automatically loaded over whatever wireless network you’re on.
So far Qualcomm aren’t saying exactly what they’ve done to create the system – obviously each frame has some degree of internet connectivity, and we’re guessing they’re pre-registered as your “home” displays – so we’ll be chasing up more details during the demo section of IQ 2010.
Update: We’ve just spoken with Qualcomm about the hardware and software behind the AR photo frame system, and it’s clever stuff. It all centers on Qualcomm’s Augmented Reality SDK, running in this case on a Google Nexus One but compatible with any Android 2.1+ device, together with their P2P technology. The frames are actually standard LCD monitors, each hooked up to a generic ASUS Eee Box PC running a custom app Qualcomm coded for the demo (with P2P functionality), and everything is on the same wireless network (we were told a regular WiFi router was used, though it was implied that Bluetooth could also be used for direct connections).
Rather than register each display to the phone, the system uses image recognition to identify them. The AR engine knows what each picture frame is showing, and matches that to the view through the camera: when you tap on-screen to select it, the P2P engine automatically swaps the pictures over.
The downside is that all the displays being used must be showing something different, else the AR recognition system can’t differentiate between them. Qualcomm aren’t looking to produce apps or displays themselves, but are expecting vendors using their AR SDK to offer similar services.
Sony has trotted out a trio of new digital photo frames for those with lots of digital pics that they want to show off. The new digital frames include the DPF-VR100, DPF-XR100, and the DPF-D830. Both the XR100 and VR100 frames have AVCHD video playback capability and WSVGA resolution LED backlit screens.
The D830 is the first battery operated digital photo frame allowing it to be placed wherever you want in the home or office. The XR100 and VR100 have 10.2-inches screens and internal image processor inside to handle the high-resolution photos and HD video cameras are capable of producing today. The frames also have a special Sweep Panorama mode to let you show off those panoramic shots that the Sony digital cameras can shoot today.
The D830 is the first digital photo frame that is powered by an internal rechargeable battery. That battery can power the frame for 100 minutes with photo playback only. It has an 8-inch SVGA LED backlit screen. All three frames have 2GB of internal storable. The three frames will ship in November with the XR100 for $250, the VR100 for $200, and the D830 for $150.
Pandigital has some pretty nice digital photo frames that are set apart from the pack by the way in which users can send the things photos. These frames can connect to the internet and using software and someone in a different state or country can send a photo directly to the frame. Pandigital has shown off an even easier way to get content onto one of its frames at IFA 2010.
Pandigital has showing off a new digital frame that will surface in Europe first. The frame is called the Photo Mail Digital Photo Frames and is a next gen frame with wireless connectivity. The frame connects through the KPN M2M Corporate Services wireless network and will ship in Q4 2010.
Once the frame is connected, anyone can take a picture and then email the image to the frame. The user will get a pop up on their frame that says they have photo mail. When they retrieve the photo mail, the image is automatically added to the roster of photos on the frame for viewing. I would bet that Pandigital is working on something similar for the US; the KPN network is only in 32 European countries right now. The frame will sell for €169.99 and has an 8-inch screen and 800×600 resolution with 1GB of memory. The first 300 emailed photos are free and an extra 100 will cost €11.99.
Kodak has outed what they’re calling the world’s thinnest digital camera with a 5x optical zoom, together with the 10-inch Kodak PULSE digital photo frame spotted hopping through the FCC last week. The company is obviously so excited about the Kodak EasyShare M590′s slimness that they’ve neglected to mention that other great photography competition: how many megapixels it packs. Still, Kodak are so heavily pushing their Share button – which tags images for upload to various social networking and gallery sites once you plug in to a computer with a network connection – that they’re probably assuming the raw shots will end up cropped down and compressed for online viewing, so original resolution doesn’t really matter.
There’s also a 2.7-inch LCD display, face recognition, image stabilization, HD video capture and a microSD card slot for storage. The Kodak EasyShare M590 will go on sale this fall, priced at $199.95 in silver, red, purple or blue.
As for the 10-inch Kodak PULSE digital frame, like its 7-inch sibling it has WiFi and its own email address: you can send images directly to the frame and, as long as it’s within network range, it’ll automatically start showing them. Facebook and Kodak Gallery content can also be pulled down automatically. It’ll also arrive this fall, priced at $199.95.
Press Release:
Kodak Introduces Latest Digital Camera for the Socially Savvy
KODAK EASYSHARE M590 is World’s Thinnest* 5X Optical Zoom Digital Camera; Company Will Also Offer Larger KODAK PULSE Digital Frame
Rochester, NY, Aug 23 — Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the new KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera, the ultimate social networking accessory for people who love to share their pictures. With Kodak’s exclusive Share Button, consumers can tag pictures and videos directly on the camera for effortless uploading to popular social networking sites including FACEBOOK, KODAK Gallery, FLICKR, ORKUT, and YOUTUBE. Pictures can also be tagged to email and to send to any KODAK PULSE Digital Frame.
The new KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera is the world’s thinnest* 5X optical zoom digital camera. On top of its sleek, modern and stylish design, the camera also boasts advanced features including Kodak’s Face Recognition feature that makes it simple for consumers to find and share the pictures they want, and Kodak’s Smart Capture feature that helps them take better pictures automatically.
“We are thrilled to see how people have embraced Kodak’s Share Button as an easier way to share life’s moments with family and friends, in three simple steps,” said Phil Scott, Vice President of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices, Kodak. “With the new KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera, we are continuing our commitment to bring to market innovative, intuitive and stylish products that make it fun and easy for today’s socially savvy crowd to share all their favorite moments.”
KODAK M590 Digital Camera Features:
Share Button for easy upload to KODAK Gallery, FACEBOOK, FLICKR, ORKUT, and YOUTUBE sites, as well as email
World’s thinnest* 5X optical zoom digital camera (uses SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON lens)
Built-in image stabilization
Kodak’s Face Recognition feature
Kodak’s Smart Capture feature
2.7-inch bright LCD with KODAK Color Science technology
Li-Ion rechargeable batteries and in-camera charging
HD picture and video capture
Uses MICROSD/MICROSDHC Card
The KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera will be available this fall for US $199.95 MSRP in silver, red, purple and blue at major retailers and Kodak.com.
New 10-inch KODAK PULSE Digital Frame
Kodak is also introducing a larger size for its popular and award-wining KODAK PULSE Digital Frame. The new 10-inch PULSE Digital Frame will be available this fall for US $199.95 MSRP at major retailers and Kodak.com. With all the features of Kodak’s current 7-inch PULSE Digital Frame, including Wi-Fi connectivity and a customizable email address, the 10-inch PULSE Frame is the perfect gift for the holiday season. The KODAK PULSE Digital Frame makes it easy for consumers to keep their frames fresh with new pictures and share with family and friends. Pictures can be emailed directly to the PULSE Frame from mobile phones, computers and any device with email capability. It also connects to FACEBOOK and KODAK Gallery photo albums, offers easy set-up with no software to install, and has an intuitive touchscreen interface.
With the KODAK PULSE Digital Frame, there is always something new to look forward to.
KODAK Digital Camera Accessories
A range of accessories are available for the KODAK M590 Digital Camera including:
New KODAK Gripping Tripods available this fall in a variety of colors
KODAK Cases, Bags and Neck Straps
KODAK MICROSDHC Memory Card
KODAK Li-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-7000
Battery charger options including KODAK Li-Ion Universal Battery Charger K7700-C
* World’s thinnest 5X optical zoom digital camera as of July, 2010
A new, larger model of Kodak’s Pulse WiFi-enabled digital photo frame has been spotted crossing the FCC. The Kodak Pulse W1030 has a 10-inch LCD display, rather than the 7-inch version announced back at CES 2010, and according to the wireless testing documents supports WiFi b/g together with having a USB port, SD/SDHC/MMC/MS/XD memory card slot and MS/MS Pro Duo card slot.
Meanwhile another document [PDF link] Kodak submitted to the FCC confirms that the new Pulse W1030 won’t be able to transfer files directly with a PC. The frame’s USB port will only work as a USB Host, for connecting directly to a camera; it’s unclear if that means direct WiFi connections won’t be supported, though that seems unlikely to be the case.
That would suggest that the only way to load images to the Pulse W1030′s internal memory (capacity unspecified) is to use a memory card or set up a wireless network; many frames will allow for direct connection to a computer, with the display showing up as an external drive. No word on when Kodak may release the Pulse W1030, but they requested 45 days confidentiality on the rest of the testing documentation and user guide, so that suggests a holiday launch.
For a long time digital photo frames have been on the market and for the first few years they were available the price kept them out of most homes. Now that the things are cheap, you can find digital frames in lots of homes around the world.
A new digital photo frame concept called the Story has surfaced and the designers have a very cool idea for the digital frame. Story is a collection of digital frames that can be placed on the wall. Each of the frames shows a bit of a larger image just like a video wall does.
Each of the frames can also be used alone as well. The thing I like about the concept is that each frame has no border allowing them to fit right next to each other and making them look more like old school snapshots. Check out the video below for an idea how the concept would work. It would be great if the concept made it to a real product that you could add to. That way you could start with one frame and then build a larger digital frame by adding more modules as you could afford it.
If there’s one thing we love more than reviewing top tech kit here at SlashGear it’s giving it away to our readers, and HP have come through with some brilliant hardware that’s up for grabs. They’ve offered an HP Data Vault X510 Windows Home Server – equally at home managing your multimedia library as it is acting as a centric backup store for all the computers on your network – worth around $700 for one lucky SlashGear reader, together with a number of other tempting prizes.
Back when we reviewed the HP Data Vault X510 we described the Windows Home Server as quiet, straightforward to install and arguably more capable than its MediaSmart cousins. That’s everything you could ask from a backup machine, and when you throw in the system’s ability to share videos, audio and photos to your DLNA-compatible HDTV, console or DPF, it’s not hard to imagine the Data Vault X510 becoming the hub of your digital home.
Also on offer is an HP Mini 311 notebook, ideal for grab-and-go computing with an 11.6-inch HD-capable display and NVIDIA Ion LE graphics, together with an 8-inch HP sd828a1 Smart WiFi Display. Unlike basic digital photo frames, the Smart WiFi Display can pull in images from online galleries, play YouTube and other videos, stream internet radio and even display Twitter messages, news and weather updates. Finally, there’s an HP shirt up for grabs too.
To stand a chance of winning, all you have to do is leave a creative/funny/comical comment in this prize thread on why you should be the winner of this giveaway. That will get you an entry into the SlashGear HP Data Vault X510 giveaway. However, if you want to stand a chance of picking up one of the other prizes, we’re also looking for creative ways in which you’d use the Data Vault X510, HP Mini 311 notebook or HP sd828a1 Smart WiFi Display. That could be a written case study, a poster or advert showing a great way of using one or all of the devices, or even a song or video. If you submit a creative entry it’ll count as a second chance in our Data Vault X510 giveaway, and we’ll also be judging those creative ideas for an opportunity to take away one of the other prizes. Creative entries should either be left in the comments (if they’re written or a link to a video you’ve created) or emailed to hpgiveaway at slashgear.com before the giveaway closing date.
SlashGear is taking part in this HP giveaway with six other sites; each has an HP Data Vault X510 to give to a reader, while the rest of the prizes will be shared out among the most creative entrants from all seven of the individual competitions. Remember, while a simple comment is enough to get you an entry into SlashGear’s giveaway, you’ll need to step up your game and think of something more creative if you want a chance for the Mini 311, Smart WiFi Display or HP shirt. Don’t forget, you’ll also get a second entry for the Data Vault X510 giveaway if you submit a creative entry – doubling your chances to win! – as well as standing a chance in the second half of the giveaway. The seven sites taking part are:
Entries on SlashGear are accepted from today, up until midnight PST on Saturday May 8th, and we’ll be announcing the winner of the HP Data Vault X510 on Sunday May 9th. We’ll also be choosing the ten most creative entries to pass forward to HP for consideration in the second half of the giveaway, which will be decided after all seven sites have run their competitions. Full rules are below, and good luck!
Rules
Competition is open to residents of the US over the age of 18. Family members, friends or affiliates of HP and SlashGear are not permitted to enter. Competition entries are only accepted via the specified SlashGear comments thread; entries left in the comments section of any other post will not be recognized. Entries should be submitted before midnight pacific time on Saturday May 8th 2010; one comment entry per person (and yes, we check).
Creative entries should be submitted either in this comments thread or via hpgiveaway@slashgear.com. The closing date for creative entries is midnight pacific time on Saturday May 8th 2010. Each creative entry will be accepted as a second entry for the HP Data Vault X510 giveaway, up to a maximum of two entries (comment and creative). The winner of the HP Data Vault X510 will be selected at random from the entries received; the creative entries will be judged on their merits and the ten best submitted to HP in consideration for the second prize pool: one HP Mini 311 notebook, one HP sd828a1 Smart WiFi Display and one HP shirt. There is no cash alternative and, should any of these prizes become unavailable, HP and SlashGear reserve the right to substitute another prize of equal or greater value.
The winner of the HP Data Vault X510 will be announced on SlashGear on Sunday May 9th 2010 and contacted via email if possible; they will be expected to respond within seven days else their prize may be forfeit and another winner selected. Editors decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Winner agrees that their name and details of their entry may be used for promotional purposes by, but not limited to, SlashGear and HP.
Remember the Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame? We mocked its name and wretched press shots back in January, but also lauded its integrated AT&T 3G for wirelessly receiving new images sent to a dedicated email address. Pandigital have just announced that the $179.99 will go on sale within the next couple of weeks, and they’ve also confirmed pricing for their pre-pay photo download packages.
While the sticker price for the frame comes with 300 wirelessly-delivered photos, Pandigital are selling a further 100 for $9.99, 400 for $29.99 or 700 for $49.99. Although we’d love it to be subscription-free, we guess that’s the price you have to pay for avoiding WiFi; this strikes us as the ideal DPF for a grandparent who doesn’t have broadband. There’s also a 6-in-1 media card reader and USB port for side-loading images (with no charge, obviously) to the Photo Mail frame’s 1GB of internal memory, which can then be rotated and resized, and have their brightness and colors tweaked. Finally, it’ll play back AVI videos and MP3 audio.
Pandigital Begins Shipping Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame
Connected to AT&T Nationwide Wireless Network, Photo Sharing is Timely and Convenient
DUBLIN, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Pandigital today announced it is now shipping its highly anticipated Pandigital Photo Mail® Digital Photo Frame to several national retailers.
The Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame is a next-generation, wirelessly-connected digital photo frame that displays photos emailed directly to its dedicated email address. Customers can share that address with family and friends to allow them to send photos directly to the frame from their own email account – whether it’s from a computer, smart phone or any email-enabled device.
Incredibly easy to use, photos can be viewed on the Pandigital Photo Mail frame very quickly. The frame connects to email wirelessly through AT&T’s nationwide wireless network, so emailed photos are transmitted rapidly and reliably.
“We’re coming up on a fun and busy time of year where families are together often for special occasions like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations and summer vacations, and the Photo Mail frame is a great way to enjoy and share photos taken at these get-togethers,” said Dean Finnegan, CEO and founder, Pandigital. “With the frame, customers have a convenient, reliable way to view their photos and then share them quickly and easily with their family and friends.”
Pandigital Photo Mail frames are shipping to popular national retailers now and will be available for purchase by customers in the next several weeks. The Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame will have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $179.99. The price of the frame includes the ability to receive 300 photos emailed to the frame with no service fee to the customer. Additional photo allotments may be purchased directly from Pandigital: 100 for $9.99, 400 for $29.99 and 700 for $49.99.
“Photo sharing is simple and timely with the Photo Mail frame connected to AT&T’s wireless network,” said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T Mobility. “With this new era of connected frames, photos will no longer be held captive on a camera or a smart phone. Grandparents will have convenient, up to date access to a grandchild’s latest adventure and parents will have the ability to stay in touch visually with their children away at college.”
Customers are alerted by the frame when new photos are emailed to its dedicated email address by friends and family so that they may quickly accept the photos in a single step to then begin enjoying them. Because the frames can receive photos from a smart phone or other email-enabled device, photos can be sent from virtually anywhere, even on-the-go.
Traditional Digital Photo Frame Usage and Extra Features Give it Full Functionality
In addition to having the capability to receive photos via email, the Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame can also be loaded with photos via its 6-in-1 media card reader (Compact Flash, SC, XD, MS, MSPro and MMC) or via a direct connection to a computer or digital camera. The frame can also be connected to a Wifi network via an add-on wireless adapter.
The Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame has an 8-inch back-lit LED display that displays photos in vibrant color and a picture-enhancing 800×600 resolution. The 4:3 aspect ratio preserves the original format of the photos, ensuring that they are not stretched or cropped. Plus, with a full 1GB of internal memory and Pandigital’s memory optimization mode, consumers can enjoy up to 6400 images on the display. Also, images can be rotated and resized, and brightness and color settings can be changed. The Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame also can play back AVI video clips and MP3 music files.
Maintaining the upscale style of the Pandigital line, the new Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame features a traditional look with a real wood frame, photo matting and a glass screen cover, so it looks great in the home or office.
Kenwood might not be the first name you’d associate with iPod speaker docks, nor with digital photo frames, but their latest product ticks both boxes. The Kenwood AS-iP70 has a 7-inch WVGA LCD display and a pop-out iPod/iPhone dock; as well as listening to music and viewing photos and video from the Apple PMP on the display, owners can also load up photos from an SD card and view them instead.
Other connectivity includes a USB 2.0 port for accessing the SD drive, while there’s also an FM radio is none of your downloaded music appeals. The speakers are tucked away on either side of the display, though at 1.5W each the AS-iP70 isn’t going to knock your house down with its musical power.
Still, it’s a distinctive device and kills two birds with one stone, so all that remains to be seen is exactly how much it will be. Impress reckon around 25,000 yen ($277) which seems on the high side to us; we’ll find out for sure when the Kenwood AS-iP70 hits Japanese stores in April 2010.
Also on offer is an 
